Prospective analysis of the incidence of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis in localized renal cell carcinoma

Purpose: The incidence of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis in renal cell carcinoma was evaluated in a prospective fashion to understand more fully the natural history of this disease. Materials and Methods: During a 15-month period 128 radical nephrectomies were performed for stages T1 to T3bNOMO renal cell carcinoma at our institution. Of these specimens 100 adrenal glands were of sufficient integrity to allow for thin sectioning. Results: Among the 100 adrenal glands 4 adrenal lesions were discovered (2 metastatic renal cell carcinomas and 2 benign adrenal lesions). All 4 lesions were identified preoperatively by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: Our prospective investigation demonstrates that the rate of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is approximately 2%, and suggests that when the ipsilateral adrenal gland is well visualized and of normal integrity on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography adrenal sparing nephrectomy may be considered a viable treatment option.